Capsule

ABSTRACT

A capsule includes a casing having an axis of extension, the casing including a base wall and a lateral wall defining a cavity for containing an initial product. A closing element is fixed to the base wall for perforation by a blade of a fluid injection device The base wall includes an annular edge region extending to the lateral wall, a central region, and a groove, interposed between the central and edge regions, and shaped to receive the blades. The closing element has a central portion fixed to the central region and an edge portion fixed to the edge region. The central region and the edge region extend on respective planes which are offset from each other along the axis such that an intermediate portion of the closing element, interposed between the central portion and the edge portion for closing the groove, is inclined.

The invention relates to a capsule suitable for containing an initial product to be joined to a fluid to obtain a final product.

In particular, the invention relates to a single-dose, single-use capsule containing an initial product which is able to make, reacting with the pressurised fluid, a final product.

In detail, the capsule is particularly configured for preparing products, for example beverages, in automatic dispensing machines.

The prior art capsules for use on dispensing machines are single-use and single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shape of a glass or cup. The casing usually has a base wall and a lateral wall defining an open cavity containing the initial product, for example ground coffee or tea, from which to obtain the final product, for example the beverage.

The base wall of the capsule has an opening delimited by a base edge to which a closing element is fixed. A flange edge extends from the lateral wall and is positioned around the open cavity, on the opposite side relative to the base wall. The cavity is hermetically sealed by a covering element, fixed to the flange edge, in such a way as to seal the initial product inside the container.

A capsule of the type described above is, for example, shown in patent WO2015056202 by the same Applicant.

The capsule can be perforated to allow the introduction of pressurised liquid, typically water, and the dispensing of the coffee beverage obtained. In detail, both the covering element and the closing element must be made of a material which can be perforated, so that the capsule can be used with great flexibility of use in the dispensing machines of interest.

The capsule may be, for example, used in a dispensing machine in which the closing element can be perforated by an injection device of the dispensing machine whilst the covering element can be perforated by an extraction device.

The injection device comprises three blades configured for perforating the closing element with cuts and a central injection duct, independent and separate from the blades, which is configured for supplying the pressurised fluid.

The extraction device, on the other hand, comprises a plurality of sharp elements which, when the pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element and perforate it in a plurality of different zones.

For the successful dispensing, the blades must correctly perforate the closing element, in such a way that the fluid dispensed by the central injection duct can be distributed uniformly inside the cavity through the cuts made by the blades.

However, it has been observed that perforation of the closing element may be difficult when the closing element, made, for example, by a film made of aluminium or plastic material, is difficult to perforate. In fact, the closing element can be pulled by the blades towards the inside of the cavity through the opening, deforming and adopting a concave shape, before being perforated.

In this case, the capsule may be perforated incorrectly, that is to say, partly and/or insufficiently, and this affects the distribution of the fluid in the cavity and therefore on the quality of the final product dispensed.

It should also be noted that in the sector of food containers, capsules are increasingly widespread on the market for which the closing element and the covering element are made entirely of a material which can be composted according to European standard UNI EN13432:2002.

In these capsules, the film of compostable material with which the closing element and the covering element are made is particularly difficult to perforate. Therefore, especially with these materials, the closing element is frequently pulled through the opening and not perforated by the blades and there may therefore be incorrect or insufficient perforations, such as to adversely affect the quality of extraction of the final product.

The technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is therefore to provide a capsule which overcomes the drawbacks of prior art capsules.

A further aim of the invention is to obtain a capsule, which is simple to construct and has limited costs, which can be easily perforated to guarantee a correct distribution of water in the capsule and therefore a good quality of extraction of the beverage.

These aims are achieved by a capsule according to the invention, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a capsule as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of a capsule for beverages according to the invention comprising a casing comprising a base wall and a flange edge, a closing element fixable to the base wall, a covering element fixable to the flange edge of the capsule;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the capsule of FIG. 1 , along a cross-section plane passing through a longitudinal axis of extension of the capsule, wherein the closing element is fixed to the base wall and the covering element is fixed to the flange edge;

FIG. 2 a shows an enlargement of a part of the closing element of FIG. 2 , fixed to the base wall, wherein the casing of the capsule has been removed, for reasons of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the outside of the casing of FIG. 1 .

The same elements in the various drawings will be indicated below with the same reference numerals.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a capsule according to the invention, which can be used in a dispensing machine.

The capsule 1, as illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 to 3 , comprises an casing 2 which has an axis A of longitudinal extension, for example an axis of symmetry.

The casing 2 is made preferably by injection moulding or by thermoforming a sheet material and it is substantially frustoconical in shape, that is, in the shape of a glass or cup. The casing 2 includes a base wall 201 and a lateral wall 202, defining an open cavity 203, and a flange edge 204, which extends from the lateral wall 202.

In detail, the lateral wall 202 is divergent starting from the base wall 201 to the flange edge 204.

The flange edge 204 may comprise a sealing element 204 a, configured for making a fluid-tight seal with the dispensing machine when the capsule 1 is inserted in a housing (not illustrated) suitably set up for it. The sealing element 204 a is made, for example, like a protrusion which extends from the flange edge 204 and is made in a single body with the flange 204. The flange edge 204 may also comprise an enlargement 204 b, which is positioned on an outer edge of the flange 204 and is configured to favour a correct positioning of the capsule 1 in the housing.

The cavity 203 is suitable for containing an initial product (not illustrated) to be joined to a fluid (not illustrated) to obtain a final product (not illustrated). The fluid is, preferably, a hot or cold liquid under pressure, introduced in the cavity 203 in a step of injecting the fluid, to obtain the final product.

As mentioned above, the initial product is, for example, a food product which is soluble, freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, percolatable, in powder form—for example coffee; alternatively, the initial preparation can be, for example, a food product in leaf form—for example tea. The initial product is preferably water, hot and under pressure, which makes it possible to obtain a beverage, for example coffee, barley coffee, tea, or herbal tea.

The capsule 1 comprises a covering element 3, fixed to the flange edge 204, so as to close the cavity 203.

The covering element 3 is fixed to the flange edge 204 by heat or ultrasonic welding or gluing.

Thanks to the covering element 3, the cavity 203 is hermetically closed and the initial preparation is isolated from the outside environment. The covering element 3 is typically a film, as described below in detail.

The covering element 3 can be perforated by an extraction device of a dispensing machine in which the capsule 1 can be used.

The capsule 1 comprises a closing element 4 fixed to the base wall 201 which can be perforated by a fluid injection device (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, which comprises piercing blades.

The closing element 4 is fixed to the base wall 201 by welding, thermal or ultrasound, or gluing.

The injection device also comprises a fluid dispensing device, which is independent of the piercing blades.

The base wall 201 comprises an edge region 205, which is annular and extends as far as the lateral wall 202, a central region 206, and a groove 207, which is interposed between the central region 206 and the edge region 205 and is shaped for receiving the piercing blades.

The edge region 205 is interposed, along the axis Z between the central region 206 and the flange edge 204. In other words, the central region 206 projects relative to the edge region 205.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the closing element 4 comprises a central portion 401, fixed to the central region 206 and an edge portion 402, fixed to the edge region 205.

Advantageously, the central region 206 and the edge region 205 extend on respective planes which are offset from each other along the axis Z in such a way that an intermediate portion 403 of the closing element 4, interposed between the central portion 401 and the edge portion 402 and configured for closing the groove 207, is inclined.

Thanks to the fact that the intermediate portion 403 is inclined relative to the central portion 401 and to the edge portion 402, piercing by the blades of the dispensing machine is facilitated. In effect, the inclination of the intermediate portion 403 between the two fixing planes 206, 205 contributes to keeping under tension the intermediate portion 403 which therefore does not deform in the groove 207 and is easily perforated also using materials which are difficult to perforate.

Advantageously, the intermediate portion 403 is tensioned between an outer edge 206′ of the central region 206 and an inner edge 205′ of the edge region 205.

In fact, the outer edge 206′ of the central region 206 and the inner edge 205′ of the edge region 205 form localised discontinuities which favour the tensioning of the intermediate portion 403.

The planes on which the central region 206 and the edge region 205 extend are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis Z.

In FIG. 2 a , which shows the closing element 4 as applied to the base wall 201, the intermediate portion 403, inclined, forms relative to an axis H, parallel to the axis Z, an angle a preferably between 71° and 85°, even more preferably between 75° and 82°, for example equal to 78°.

It should be noted that the central region 206 comprises at least one outer frame, not illustrated, which extends up to the outer edge 206′. Preferably, the closing element 4, and in detail its central portion 401, is fixed at least to the outer frame of the central region 206 in such a way that the fixing extends up to the outer edge 206′.

Similarly, the edge region 205 comprises at least one inner frame, not illustrated, which extends up to the inner edge 205′. Preferably, the closing element 4, and in detail its edge portion 402, is fixed at least to the inner frame of the edge region 205.

The fixing of the closing element 4, and more specifically of the central portion 401 at least to the outer frame of the central region 206 and/or the fixing of the edge portion 402 at least to the inner frame of the edge region 205, makes it possible to avoid folds in the intermediate portion 403, when the closing element 4 is fixed to the base wall 401. In fact, the fixing of the closing element 4 acts in conjunction to keep the intermediate portion 403 under tension between the outer edge 206′ of the central region 206 and the inner edge 205′ of the edge region 205.

The groove 207 has a bottom wall 207 a provided with openings 207 b configured to allow the fluid injected by the injection device to be dispensed to the initial product contained in the cavity 203.

Thanks to the fact that the intermediate portion 403 is inclined, the closing element 4 can be easily perforated and, therefore, since the pressurised fluid is uniformly distributed in the cavity 203 through the openings 207 b, the quality of the drink dispensed may be raised.

It is known that the pressurised fluid injected into the capsule must be distributed as uniformly as possible in the initial product in order to extract aromatic components from the latter to be transferred to the beverage, especially if the initial product is coffee powder.

The bottom wall 207 a is positioned at a distance such that it is not perforated by the piercing blades of the injection device. The groove 207 may be positioned concentric relative to the axis Z to contain inside it the piercing blades, if the perforating blades are concentric relative to the axis Z.

Preferably, the central region 206 is circular, the groove 207 is annular as is the intermediate portion 403. The intermediate portion 403 is therefore shaped like a frustoconical lateral surface.

The outer frame of the central region 206 and the inner frame of the edge region 205 are therefore annular and concentric to each other.

The edge region 205 has an outer edge 205″ which is positioned between the base wall 201 and the lateral wall 202.

According to a version of the capsule 1 not illustrated, the closing element 4 is larger than the base wall 201 so that it can also be fixed to the lateral wall 202, contiguous to the base wall 201, to remain joined to the capsule 1 even in the presence of an increase in the pressure inside the capsule 1. In other words, the closing element 4 extends beyond the outer edge 205″ and is superposed on the outer edge 205″ itself.

The increase in pressure inside the capsule 1 may be due to the gas released by the coffee contained in the capsule 1, if, for example, the initial product is non-degassed coffee.

As mentioned above, the central region 206 projects from the edge region 205. For this purpose, the closing element 4 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material configured to be able to pass from a planar configuration to a deformed configuration, illustrated in detail in FIG. 2 a.

In fact, before fixing to the base wall 201, the closing element 4 is in a planar configuration whilst, after having been fixed to the edge region 205 and to the central region 206 which are offset from each other along the axis Z, the closing element 4 is deformed, as the intermediate portion 403 is inclined.

When the closing element 4 is fixed to the base wall 201, the closing element 4 adopts a convex shape.

In detail, the casing 2 can be chosen from among one of the following materials of a first list:

-   -   Polyolefin (preferably polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE),         polyethylene terephthalate PET, polystyrene PS, polylactic acid         PLA, polyethylene furanoate PEF;     -   Biodegradable and/or compostable materials different from         polyactic acid PLA, for example of vegetable origin such as         cellulose, or derived from them, for example, paper;     -   Recyclable materials, for example aluminium.

The above-mentioned materials of the first list can be able to provide a barrier to oxygen and/or water.

According to an embodiment, the casing can comprise at least two layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list, for example cellulose, polyethylene PE; or cellulose, polyactic acid PLA.

According to a further embodiment, the casing can comprise at least three layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list, for example cellulose, polyactic acid PLA, aluminium, wherein the aluminium constitutes a barrier layer which is resistant to aromas and/or liquids and/or gases.

The covering element 3 and the closing element 4 can comprise at least one layer comprising a material chosen from among one of the following materials of a second list:

-   -   Polyolefin (preferably polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE),         polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PET comprising aluminium         oxides and silicon oxides), polyactic acid PLA;     -   Recyclable materials, for example aluminium;     -   Polyvinyl chloride PVDC;     -   Polyactic acid PLA;     -   Ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH or polyvinyl alcohol PVOH;     -   Biodegradable and/or compostable materials different from         polyactic acid PLA, for example of vegetable origin such as         cellulose, or derived from them, for example paper or cellulose         acetate.

According to an embodiment, the covering element 3 and/or the closing element 4 can comprise at least two layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the second list, for example polyethylene terephthalate PET, polyvinyl chloride PVDC; or polyethylene terephthalate PET, aluminium.

According to a further embodiment, the covering element 3 and/or the closing element 4 can comprise at least three layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the second list, for example polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polypropylene PP; or polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polyethylene PE; or polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polyactic acid PLA.

If, for example, the capsule 1, and that is, the casing 2, the covering element 3 and the closing element 4, are made of paper, it is preferable that the paper with which the closing element 4 is made is deformable.

The same considerations apply if the capsule 1, and that is, the casing 2, the covering element 3 and the closing element 4, are made of PLA.

Advantageously, if the capsule 1 is entirely biodegradable and compostable, since it is made, for example, of paper or PLA, the user can dispose of the entire capsule 1 amongst the organic waste.

If, on the other hand, the capsule 1 is made of a recyclable material, such as aluminium, or plastic material, the casing 2 can be recycled after emptying the casing 2 of the initial product contained therein. For capsules 1 made of aluminium, or of plastic material, the closing element 4 may be made, respectively, of aluminium, or plastic material.

In use, a user inserts the capsule 1 in the housing of a dispensing machine which has an injection device comprising piercing blades positioned, for example, about a conduit for supplying pressurised fluid. When the housing is closed, the base wall 201 is brought to interfere with the piercing blades and the intermediate portion 403 of the closing element, inclined relative to the axis Z and positioned for closing the groove 207, may be easily perforated by the perforating blades. Since it is inclined and in addition being tensioned between an outer edge 206′ of the central region 206 and an inner edge 205′ of the edge region 205, the intermediate portion 403 can be easily perforated.

Owing to the capsule according to the invention, which has an edge region 205 and a central region 206 of a base wall 201 offset along the axis Z in such a way that an intermediate portion 403 of the closing element 4, positioned for closing a groove 207, is inclined relative to the axis Z, it is guaranteed that the closing element 4 can be easily perforated in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Advantageously, the invention can be applied not only for capsules 1 which are entirely biodegradable and compostable, but also made of aluminium, or plastic, thus reducing the dispensing defects due to capsules which are not perfectly perforated. 

1. A capsule comprising: a casing which has an axis of longitudinal extension, the casing comprising a base wall and a lateral wall defining an open cavity, designed to contain an initial product to be added to a fluid to obtain a final product, and a flange edge extending from said lateral wall; a covering element fixed to the flange edge for closing the cavity, which can be perforated by an extraction device of a dispensing machine in which the capsule can be used; a closing element fixed to the base wall which can be perforated by a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine comprising piercing blades; wherein the base wall comprises an edge region, which is annular and extends as far as the lateral wall, a central region, and a groove, which is interposed between the central region and the edge region and is shaped for receiving the piercing blades; and wherein the closing element has a central portion, configured for being fixed to the central region and an edge portion, configured for being fixed to the edge region, and wherein the central region and the edge region extend on respective planes which are offset from each other along the axis and in such a way that an intermediate portion of the closing element, interposed between the central portion and the edge portion for closing the groove, is inclined.
 2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion is tensioned between an outer edge of the central region and an inner edge of the edge region.
 3. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the central region and the edge region extend on planes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis, the intermediate portion forming, relative to an axis, parallel to the axis, an angle preferably comprised between 71° and 85°, still more preferably comprised between 75° and 82°, being for example 78°.
 4. The capsule relative to claim 1, wherein the central region comprises an outer frame which extends up to an outer edge and wherein the edge region comprises an inner frame which extends up to an inner edge, the closing element being fixed at least to the outer frame and/or at least to the inner frame.
 5. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the groove has a bottom wall equipped with openings configured to allow the fluid injected by the injection device to be dispensed to the initial product contained in the cavity.
 6. The capsule according to claim 1 wherein the central region is circular and the groove is annular.
 7. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the edge region has an outer edge which is interposed between the base wall and the lateral wall, the closing element being larger in size than the base wall so that it can also be fixed to the lateral wall.
 8. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is made of a material which is elastically deformable to be able to pass from a flat configuration, before being fixed to the base wall, to a deformed configuration, wherein the intermediate portion is inclined, after being fixed to the edge region and to the central region of the base wall.
 9. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the casing, the covering element and the closing element are made of a biodegradable and/or compostable material to allow the capsule to be disposed of as organic waste after being used.
 10. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the casing is selected from among one of the following materials of a first list: Polyolefin (preferably polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE), polyethylene terephthalate PET, polystyrene PS, polylactic acid PLA, polyethylene furanoate PEF; Biodegradable and/or compostable materials different from polyactic acid PLA, for example of vegetable origin such as cellulose, or derived from them, for example, paper; Recyclable materials (for example aluminium).
 11. The capsule according to claim 10, wherein the casing comprises at least two layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list, for example cellulose, polyethylene PE; or cellulose, polyactic acid PLA.
 12. The capsule according to claim 10, wherein the casing comprises at least three layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list, for example cellulose, polyactic acid PLA, and aluminium, the aluminium constituting a barrier layer which is resistant to aromas and/or liquids and/or gases.
 13. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the covering element and the closing element can comprise at least one layer comprising a material chosen from among one of the following materials of a second list: Polyolefin (preferably polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PET comprising aluminium oxides and silicon oxides), polyactic acid PLA; Recyclable materials, for example aluminium; Polyvinyl chloride PVDC; Polyactic acid PLA; Ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH or polyvinyl alcohol PVOH; Biodegradable and/or compostable materials different from polyactic acid PLA, for example of vegetable origin such as cellulose, or derived from them, for example paper or cellulose acetate.
 14. The capsule according to claim 13, wherein the covering element (3) and/or the closing element can comprise at least two layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the second list, for example polyethylene terephthalate PET, polyvinyl chloride PVDC; or polyethylene terephthalate PET, aluminium.
 15. The capsule according to claim 13, wherein the covering element and/or the closing element can comprise at least three layers, wherein each layer can comprise at least one of the materials of the second list, for example polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polypropylene PP; or polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polyethylene PE; or polypropylene PP, ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, polyactic acid PLA. 